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Support for wall funds

At a brief special meeting last Tuesday, Mayor Trevor Vaughan and councillors John Bissett, Keith Hayes, Vin Nairn, Brian Oliver, Vicki Potter and Mark Windram (Crs Claire Anderson and Vince Maxwell were absent) voted unanimously for the extra funding, taking the Town’s total contribution to $212,000, including a $50,000 grant.

The approval includes a commitment from Victoria Park RSL to contribute $109,000 (including $75,000 Lotterywest and Department of Veterans’ Affairs grants) plus any further funds raised (Adopt-a-digger campaign, grants and other donations) to the Town.

The RSL also agreed to provide a complete copy of its enlistment roll research to the Town’s Local History Collection.

Last month Victoria Park RSL president Kelvin Liddiard asked council to grant another $54,000 to pay for 432 bronze plaques for the wall.

The Town’s Community Life department recommended councillors refuse the request as the council had already helped with Anzac Centenary activities and the extra funds were not allocated in the budget.

After meetings with Mr Liddiard, a report by Community Life director Tina Ackerman recommended the extra $67,000 plus the Town’s acknowledgement of the memorial project’s significance.

‘In light of the significance of the Anzac Centenary in the Town and the nation’s history, the administration considers it essential that a memorial wall project…. be completed as intended,’ the report said.